“What are you saying.” Victor felt cold.
“If you want to see other people. So you don’t feel like you’re missing out. You can do that. As long as you play safe. I want you all to myself, I always have, but only if you’re happy that way.” Andy hated to say it. Had to add, “One-time offer, though, catnip.”
Victor stood up, paced halfway across the room and back. Went to the rum bottle and poured some more, tossed it back, coughed. He set down the glass carefully. He didn’t know how to feel. He knew the offer had to cost Andy. Didn’t know if Andy had any idea how much it hurt to hear it. “Can you honestly think I want anyone else?”
Andy breathed for the first time in what felt like a year. “No, I don’t honestly think that. I’m sorry, I know that pushed a lot of buttons. I hate the very idea of it. But I needed you to reject it.”
“You sadistic son of a bitch.” Victor came over fast, wrapped his hand around the back of Andy’s neck, and went in for a hard kiss. “I reject it. I reject the fuck out of it. I want you, always you, only you. You’re everything.” Andy dropped his glass. It rolled off the bed and hit the floor with a clunk. Neither of them heard it.
Chapter 8
July 2019
Andy caught up with Dana while Victor was out on location the next day: This time zone thing is a pain in the ass, are you working? She shouldn’t have been working at all, but her stupid show had been especially stupid.
Some essential material for the coming season had to be shot during what should have been everyone’s summer break.
Her reply came right back: Nope, on set but nothing to do for two hours at least. There seems to be a problem with the guest star What kind of problem
The can’t remember shit kind of problem
LOL sorry to hear that. So the boy toy and I have patched it up. Tell the others plz
Glad to hear it, will do. Some talk and not only action I hope Lots of talk. Serious talk. Andy thought briefly about summarizing it, decided that could wait till they were all face to face and possibly shitfaced.
Bottom line, he was tired, I was self-involved. This was at least half my fault Andy you just lost your father, give yourself a break He was relieved to get her permission. Yeah okay. Anyway things are good here. Did you and Rory decide on your Shakespeare characters yet?
We are leaning toward Midsummer Night’s Dream because fairies ROFLMAO naked fairies?
Uh let me read the thing again. You made those guys look so gorgeous They are already gorgeous and so are you & Rory. Oh and when the whole thing is done, I may get to take it to London. The Tempest guys know a guy
How fuckin cool is that?!
I know!! Andy giggled, wondering if he should tell her the guy ran a porn site. That should maybe also wait until they were shitfaced. I need to get in touch with the guy actually. So I’ll let you go. Hope your guest star locates a functioning brain cell
If he doesn’t we’re going to be here till midnight. OXO
OXO yourself. Andy disconnected, took off his reading glasses, and
looked around to see what Molly was doing. The answer, not surprisingly, was ‘napping.’ She was in the shade of a big evergreen behind the hotel. He was on the deck by the pool, under a patio umbrella. He squinted up at the sky, which seemed to be threatening rain. If it rained, the day’s shoot would have to shut down, and Victor would be back early. The downside of that was they’d have to either cram the rest of today’s work into another non-rainy day, or push the schedule. “Do not rain,” he told the sky, and set down his phone. Molly raised her head when he spoke. “Hi best girl. Keep on napping.
I’m going inside for a thing, be right back.” As if she understood, she put her head down. Andy laughed to himself and went in for his tablet and a cup of coffee. When he returned to the deck, Molly came up to join him. He gave her a treat. “You are the greatest dog in the history of dogs. Yes you are. Yes you’re a good girl. You’re the best girl. Thank you for the kisses.” Andy wiped his face. Molly settled behind his lounger with a contented sigh. He woke up his tablet and found the email from the porn guy.
Dear Mr. Martin,
Upon receipt of your subscription I took the liberty of contacting Mr. Niall Phelps, who assures me that your email address is in fact that of the artist responsible for ‘A Tempest.’ Brilliant work as I’m sure you know. Have Mr. Phelps or Mr. Anand hinted at my thoughts anent bringing the work to London?
I have recently taken action to drag my mode of conveyance of filth at least two steps from the gutter. I can provide references from the legitimate art world. Not to put too fine a point on it, I want to be in business with you. Should this be of interest you may reach me at this address or at the number given below.
Yours most sincerely,
Reggie Galant
Niall and Geoffrey had, of course, been in touch. According to Geoffrey, the AT YOUR SERVICE website had recently undergone a major transformation.
He also said that he and Niall were engaging Reggie to paint a portrait, which told Andy a lot. It was one thing for a writer of M/M romantic suspense to give an interview to a gay porn site. That had probably been a good business move. To then follow up by writing ‘letters from the road’
